Barbie releases diverse new range of Ken dolls

The Ken doll now comes with a man-bun or cornrows, if that tickles your fancy. Credits: Barbie / Facebook

Barbie's boyfriend of 56 years is finally as varied as her.

While her creator Mattel has focused on modernising Barbie by giving the iconic female doll different body shapes and skin tones in recent years, Ken has languished behind.

But that all changed today, when the toy company unveiled 15 new editions of the Ken doll - all with their own set of idiosyncrasies and styles.

Young kids can now choose from "broad", "slim" or "original" body shapes for Ken, and can select a number of hairstyles - including cornrows or a man-bun. There are also different skin tones and eye colours.

"Evolving Ken was a natural evolution for the brand and allows girls to further personalise the role they want him to play in Barbie's world," Mattel said.

The company added that it is "redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation".

The new Ken doll comes just over a year after the Barbie range got a total revamp that included the introduction of "tall", "curvy" and "petite" figurines.

Ken was brought onto the market as Barbie's boyfriend in 1961 by Mattel.